Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sattil(l, Sattle, Settill, Settle, v. Also: sattyl, -el(l, satill, -le, -ele; saitle; setill, -ell(e, -le, settel(l. P.t. and p.p. sat(t)il(l)it, satlit, settillit, setlit, etc. [ME and e.m.E satle (Cursor M.), sedle(n (c1315), sattele(n, set(t)le(n (14th c.), satill (?a1400), sattle (c1440), satell (1525), OE *sætlan, setlan.]

I. To descend, sink down.

1. intr. a. Of persons: To fall to the ground, to fall down, to collapse. b. Of the sea: To become low, or lower, to subside. c. Of the earth of a grave: To settle.a. a1500 Sir Eger 1570.
He failied force and settled down 1600-1610 Melvill 632.
The proclamator thairof, or he com to the mides of the proclamatioun settillit doune spicheles, and with meikle adoe ane uthir wes enterit into his rowme 1665 Lamont Diary 177.
He fainted and setled downe, and before they cowld reach … the bookebinders howse … ther was no breath in himb. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5466.
The sey … sall ryse on heycht … lyke ane wall ewin straycht vpstand, Syne sattell doun agane so law That [etc.]c. 1555 Stirling B. Rec. I 66.
Quhen the graf is sattillit that … the samyn laris be laid agane 1583–4 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 317.
To evin and fill vp the graives as thai sall happin to sattill and fall down

2. Of troops: To fall back, give ground, retire. Also tr., To cause to retire.(a) 1513 Doug. ix xiii 28.
Turnus a litil … Begouth frawart the bargane to withdraw, And sattil [Sm. sattyl] towartis the ryveris syde a law 1535 Stewart 56815.
The Scottismen syne hapnit at the last … Sum thing to sattill and to pas abak 1570 Leslie 199 (see Sattilling vbl. n. 2). a1578 Pitsc. I 97/12.
Ane companie of fresche men … come so fercelie wpoun the Earle of Huntlieis wangaird quhill they war compellit to satill a littill abak Ib. 275/28.
Bot thay causit the Inglismen to sattill frome thame c1610 Melville Mem. 201.
He persauit … the rycht wing of the regentis vantgard put bak and sattill lyk to fle(b) a1578 Pitsc. II 100/4.
The Earle of Angus battell quho sieand thame … command wpoun him settlit and reteirit done to the Earle of Huntlieis battell to haue had help of thame Ib. 158/16.
Then Monsieur Dosuell … luikit to my lord governouris host quho … had settillit a lyttill abaktr. 1535 Stewart 56849.
So cruell counter … Quhilk satlit hes the Sutheroun far abak Beȝond the place quhair that tha first began

3. To arrange (things or objects) in order, or in a desired position. 1676 Cullen Kirk S. 27 Nov.
That however these pewes were seatled there should left [sic] … roume for ane entrie to the dask

b. To put (a ship) in order, to set her to rights (prior to sailing). Also fig. 1595 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 6b.
For the chelder helpet me to satele her [sc. the ship] xv s. Ib. 8b.
For met to the chelder that helpet to sattell herfig. 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 165/6.
Bot thole my joyes … To settell thame within an portt of rest

II. To come or bring to order after disturbance in a pre-existing state of affairs.

4. intr. To become pacified: a. Of a commotion or mêlée. b. Of persons.a. 16.. Anderson Hist. in Crim. Trials I i 135.
Grit sture arrayse incontinent, for sum Hamiltounes suspectit that this cruell turnes was done be the Douglassis. … In the end, the sture sumquhat settiledb. a1578 Pitsc. I 111/13.
He … wald settill of his ire sa sune as they became penitent of thair offences 1600-1610 Melvill 307.
Thairfor, the king satteling, aggreagit thair cryme verie hilie

5. tr. To impose order on, regulate (a situation, matters, disorder, etc.). b. To bring (a place or community) to (in) a settled state, to pacify (a country). c. To calm, appease, pacify (a person or persons).Some examples may belong in senses 10 or 15. 1583 Cal. Sc. P. VI 579.
His hines myndis therefter sa to sattill the present stait of materis in this realme as [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 123.
Thir fascheries war skarse weill sattelit, when out braks a graitter contradiction Ib. 308.
Efter lang vexation and mikle adoe the peiple's insurrection was sattelit 1602 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 205.
To haue satled the confusioun and disordoure of the estate of the cunyie 1609 Acts IV 434/2.
Iniurious wordis or licht braulis wer then easilie to be satlit 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 295.
My Lord of Argyll … hes settelled thingis in Ilay and the greatest he found thair adherent with the rebels he hath caused execut c1650 Spalding I 14.
The Marques of Huntly and sum weill set freindis satlit this feid and Frendracht ordaint to pay to the ladie relict [etc.] Ib. II 86.
Leaving all thinges so soundlie satled both in kirk and pollicie as thay thame selffis could devyss Ib. 152.b. 1597–8 Warrender P. (SHS) II 355.
Gif we mai sattill the contrai in quyetnes and purge it of sik iniquetie 1614 Bk. Islay 183.
The Yllis, quhilk his majestie with so grite paines and travellis hes satled under his majesties obedience 1614 Crim. Trials III 286.
The cuntrey being now reasonable weele satled, without appeirance of ony new commotioun or trouble 1625 Moray Synod 10. 1639 Bk. Pasquils 83.
For all belived … That it [sc. Parliament] should satle this distracted natione(b) 1640 Misc. Maitl. C. III 478.
True, there was swearing and cursing and brawling … whereat we were grieved; but we hoped, if our camp had been a little settled, to have gotten some way for these misorders 1656 Glasgow B. Rec. II 348.
And conteinous yit the pryce of the aill in respect the marcats ar not settillit thrugh want of watter to the mylnisc. 1597 in Moysie xxiii.
[He] appeirit crabit at the beginning, but is satlit sensyne 1628 Sutherland Bk. II 147.
We satlit them in end and maid them to drink and schake handis(b) 1671 Rothesay B. Rec. 217.
John Galie … and John Ker … struglit and straik utheris … and … Patrik Ker came to setle thame

d. To cause to diminish, to reduce the severity or virulence of (plague). 1665 Alyth Par. Ch. 105.
That the Lord would satle the plague of pestilance at London and other places ther abowt

III. To establish, put in place, a (new) order, state of affairs, etc.

6. a. passive. To be placed, located. Also fig. 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxxiv.
Thomas … clam vp in the thikest of the branches … and he scarslie satlet, thear enters tua Englishmen on horsfig. 1600-1610 Melvill 172.
Thus, finding the warrand of God sattelit in my hart

b. reflex. To establish one's residence, domicile oneself, in a place.(a) c1650 Spalding I 130.
Leslie … resoluit to cum hame … and sattill him self besyde his chief 1692 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 56.
That they should not suffer any stranger weiveris to satle himself [sic] within the said jurisdiction(b) 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 210.
[That] all … Egiptianis … settill thame selffis at certane dwelling places with maisteris

c. intr. To take up one's abode.(a) 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1879.
Thus come and satled heir, Our worthy wyse divyne 1636 Fam. Innes 225.
For at the laist itt will be seuyne yeirs befor they gett the way off briding, excepe thay satill at home(b) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 108.
George, Earl of Huntly, resolving to setle at Invernes 1685 Dunlop P. III 10.
The [l]ose likewayes of a Sc[ots ship] … filled with our countriemen who designed to setell with us

7. tr. To install, establish, confirm (a person) (in an office, to a calling or with an employer). Also with the office, etc. in apposition.(1) 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (ed.) 166.
Maister Gudman wes satlit heir in Sanctandrous 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 210 (see 6b above). 1594 Warrender Illustr. Sc. Hist. 49.
As also quhairthrow the ministerie suld not haif occasioun to calumniat me thay wer content presentlie to offer and being peciable sattilit in ther awin estaitis to performe quhatsumevir … thai culd for satisfactioun of the kirk 1606 Glasgow B. Rec. I 248.
The … provist … bailleis [etc.] … hes thocht guid to sattill thair commowne clerk in the said office 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 715.
Ane proper young man … bot verie suspitious for not being sattillit to ony gude calling 1617 Ellon Presb. 100.
[Mr. John Mersir] … to byd at hame, wait upon his buik and calling, seeing in his stipend he is sattilled 1642 Elgin Rec. I 273.
That he be satlit and contractit with ane maister and he to be his prenteis 1653 Scotland and the Commonwealth 223.
I have folloued the service of this croune, whair I am now satlid(b) 1682 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 207.
They had not settled him [sc. the schoolmaster] till they tried him 1698 Strathendrick 30.
To provyde and setle a scholemester in a fitt and commodious place(2) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 183.
The former, being nott by law setled secured infeft and seased in his own estate, that he … was setled principall baliefe 1697 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 245.
Robert Miller … is (God willing) within a short tyme to be setled minister of the said new erected paroch 1712 Inverness Kirk S. 235.
The session … did unanimously agree to settle him a pensienor of the hospital dureing life

b. passive. To be established (in a state or situation). 1609 Garden Garden 88.
The'are … to giue place compeld, … To their successours, or them selfs Be satled in their seats. This day one rules … Tomorrow he is dead 1662 Glasgow Trades House 377.
Ther ar sindrie sowmes promeist to gait them all setled and sustenit whill God provyd better

c. To be established in the matrimonial state with a spouse. c1650 Red Bk. Grandtully II 144.
In beulding and reparing ȝour hous of Burnbank which should reather be ȝour exercis when ȝow ar satled with a halfmarrow then now

d. To be established in legal possession of property, lands, etc. 1616 Crim. Trials III 383.
The landis and leving of Howpaslet war … acquyret be vmquhile Sir James Douglas … and he thairby setlet in possessioun thairof 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 183 (see (2) above).

8. a. To grant, secure (an income, etc.) to or upoun a person. 1661 Laing MSS 286.
Your majestie would likwayes graciously setle upon the petitioner such ane annuity … as [etc.] 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 13 Jan.
Anent ane sufficient locall modified stipend and mans and gleib setled to the said Mr. Alexander

b. To impose (a charge) upon (a community). 1653 Stirling B. Rec. I 208.
That … your lordship [sc. General Monk] wald tak some course to setle a localitie upoun some place

9. To put in place and ensure the stability or permanence of (a state of affairs); to establish ((good) order, government).(a) 1638 Glasgow Trades House 191.
Crevand … the said deacon [etc.] … to satle ane good ordour amongest thame heirefter so that the poor be not oppressit 1640 Anal. Scot. I 389.
Most humblie entreatting your majestie wold … sattill ane firme and durabill peace against all innovasiounis be sea and land 1661 Acts VII 88/1.
As to the government of the Church his maiestie will make it his care to satle & secure the same in such a frame as shall be most agreeable to the word of God(b) 1569 Reg. Privy C. I 667.
My lord regentis grace cuming … is … to settill and estableis universall peace 1588 Laing MSS 75.
To settill a perfyt amytye and sincere intelligence betuene these two crownes 1603 Reg. Morton I 190.
Being myndfull to settill sum guid ordour with the ministrie of our kirkis of the pryorie of Sanctandrois 1666 Laing MSS 353.
The goverment of the Church was setled by law 1672 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 279.
Ane … watch of the inhabitants [to] be setled 1697 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 234.
To make and setle such rules and methods … as shall be found necessarie

b. To establish (an enterprise, institution, etc.). 1601 Conv. Burghs II 117.
The said brugh of Dundy lenis to the said brugh of Edinburgh the said Henre de Turk quhill the wark be satillit 1629 Aberd. Council Lett. I 305.
Anent our resolutioun for changing of the staple port at Camphere … we desyre expreslie that the stapill be transported from Camphear and setled at Middelburght 1640 Dumbarton B. Rec. 61.
And that the ky mercat being appoyntit to stand … within the lands of Aikenbar … that thay had appoyntit sex persounis to attend thair at the bar to settill the said ky mercat and not to suffer the kye to go to Bonyll 1649 Alyth Kirk S. in Sc. N. & Q. XII 75/2.
That care be taken to setle ane scool vith a compitent provision and a qualified scoolmester in evrie congregatione and that for this effect the Act of Parliament concerning the provision for ane scool be put in execution 1711 Conv. Burghs IV 513.
If a packquet boat were setled betueen John of Groats house … and Kirkwall

c. To establish or confirm (health or strength). 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 12.
And quhen thai wer baith a lytill recoverit and thair strenthis not ȝit fullie settillit they returnit to thair auld pastyme agane

d. To confirm (a person, his mind) in a state, belief, etc.; to make (him or her) steadfast or resolute.(1) 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. vi 80.
Fingitque premendo, componit animum vi, settellis(2) 1600-1610 Melvill 73.
Giff he fand him selff satteled in his auld fathe, he wald continow a Jesuist 1622 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 314.
Otheris lymmaris wickedlie disposit and not yitt fullie satled in obedience 1643 Moray Synod 66.
Till shoe be some better satled in her mynd

IV. To fix (what is uncertain), to decide (a question).

10. a. To appoint or decide upon.(a) 1642 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VII 327.
[The Commissioners chose Robert Glencors] as a person who knew best to sattle post stages betuix Carlill and Portpatrik(b) 1596 Dalr. II 158/28.
The wardanis setlis a day, tha meit [etc.]

b. To fix by mutual agreement.(a) 1608 Breadalbane Lett. 4 July.
At our last meting I wes dismissit and na thing sattellit betuix ȝour maister & me 16.. Hist. Kennedy 14.
Thir matteris being this wayis satlitt 1636 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 180.
Understanding that the most pairt of the rentis belonging to the churche of this burgh ar not satled 1638 in Spalding I 101.
That materis may be satled in peace 1656 Glasgow B. Rec. II 352.
To … meit … thes quha war appoyntit to satle the … tyndis, and to … give in the names of thes quha hes to gried 1660 Montgomery Mem. II 324.
This expres particular provisioun and conditioun allwayes sattiled and aggreit vpon(b) 1608 Crim. Trials II 257.
Quhill we had settillit our plat 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 246.
The Lairde of Lundy … to be heere … airlie in the morning at whitche tyme this mater wilbe setled Ib. 255. 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 321.
That thais maters may be setlit to the effect the poore ones may be intertenit 1641 Acts V 332/1.
That the mater might be hard and setled anent his cleame to the office of ischearie

c. passive. To be determined to do something, or (in a resolution). a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1222 (Wr.).
If we perceive him satled sa To satisfie him with the slae 1590 Cal. Sc. P. X 279.
In quhiche peremptorie resolution he is so satled that [etc.]

11. To settle one's estate or affairs, to put one's affairs in order; to arrange for the disposal of one's property, etc., before one's death. b. specif. Of the king: To put in order the affairs of the kingdom. Cf. 5b above.(a) 1602 Wemyss Corr. 55.
The cair your maiestie hes to sie my Lord off Murray's estait sattlit 1618 Edinb. Test. L 125b.
Being … of intencioun to sattill thair wardlie effeiris 1631 Misc. Spald. C. II 227.
Before they could gayne the oppertunitie … to satle thair estaites(b) 1631 Misc. Bann. C. II 252.
I James Cathkin … being cairfull to have my wordlie affaires settiled and set appairtb. 1585 Acts III 385/2.
Our souerane lord … being now myndit to satle his estait in perfite … concord(b) 1590 Warrender P. (SHS) II 137.
Be lykeliehode he [sc. the king of Spain] will inclyne to quyetnes, settill his state, assuire his dominions, [etc.]

12. To resolve or bring to a settlement (a dispute or disagreement); to decide on (a question).There is some overlap with sense 5 above.(a) 1611 Brechin Test. II 133.
That all controverse and question of law be saitlit & takin away betuix … thame 1611 Sc. Hist. Rev. XIX 109.
Quhill the eylistis and jaris newly arrysin betuix the nytboras and indwellaris in Striuling war satlit and removit 1615 Black Bk. Taymouth 48.
That he sould gett all theis turnis satled: quhairin … laweris haid nather pouar nor moyan to do it 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I 176.
Hoping … ye may satle the questionne amongis thame 1620 Grant Chart. 332.
And the laird haifing satlit the particulare all to the witnessis expenssis, quhilk they culd not agree vpoun 1676 Inverness Rec. II 269.
The differences latlie arysen betwixt … counsell & the gildrie … of … Innernes quhairby the Commissioners of Pearth [etc.] … wer appoynted to com to this burghe and sattle all enormities & tack away animosities(b) 1600-1610 Melvill 123.
Bot, in end, a glib of the collage gear settlet that [sc. a dispute] 1607 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 107.
I dowt nocht bott ȝowr moist sacreid maiestie will swa settill thatt turne, as heirefter thay be na cawisee of gruge on ather syd 1631 Justiciary Cases I 167.
Quhill the saidis differences had bene finallie setled and composed 1654 Glasgow Trades House 314.
They thoght guid to setle first the contraversie now standing amongst the cordoners 1662 Forbes Baron Ct. 230.
The birlamen, … quhair thair is any controversie either in merches setting or any vther thing that is in oddis … shall … setle the said bussines 1676 Conv. Burghs III 663.
Setelle

13. intr. To arrange matters in dispute, to come to terms or agreement (with a person) (for (anent), to do, in doing something, that something should be done).(1) 1609 Breadalbane Lett. 17 Oct.
I sall rather be willing to sattill freindlie nor be rigour 1622 Grant Chart. 220.
That they saitle not with him … vnles he gif his obedience to his maiestie 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 48.
[The commissioners are] to treat and satle with thame anent the best way of lifting of this excyse 1663 Old Ross-shire II 53.
Severall persones … quho efter ther goods ar stowine and findis the theiff therof does satle & compone with him(b) 1663 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 205.
Being willing to settle freindlie with the said Old Toune for the said ryot 1664 S. Leith Rec. 120/1.
To setill and aggrie with them both for thair feu dutie of the fraternitie house 1667 Laing MSS 373.
His brother … whos just concerns I never oueind furder then to deal with himself to tak it away and did settel as I thought to his content(2) 1677 Inverness Rec. II 272.
As they haue formerlie agried & satled with Andro Ross and Robert Nicolsone to rear wp the back of the tounes hous at the water syd(3) 1675 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 26 April.
And if they can setell with them in proportionating of the said mark upon the boll(4) 1654 Wemyss in Sc. Diaries 125.
I did agrie and sattill with my collers … that they shall have for every leade of gritte colle … 22 penes Scotts

b. To settle accounts by payment. 1672 Inverness Rec. II 255.
Becaus that he hes satled with all the creditors at quhaes instance he wes warded

14. tr. To satisfy (a person) in respect of his wishes or demands. 1593 Acts IV 34/2.
Thay stude content thinkand that thay haid bene satlit in that point 1602 Misc. Spald. C. II 290.
We intend, God villing, to sattill your lordschipis baith

b. To reconcile (opposing parties in a dispute).(a) 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 24.
That yow use your best endeavours … to sattle the parteis in peace and quyetnes(b) 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 303 (29 April).
Johne Maxwell of Slognaw is desyred to setle pairties betuixt and this day fourtnight and gif not to report Ib. (undated letter).
In obedience to your comands I have takine paines with both pairties bot can not settill them thairfor it must be decerned be the judg 1684–5 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 168.
For my necessar expence in going to Orialand to settle Sir Charles Hay and the tennentis

c. passive. Of two or more persons: To be reconciled, to be brought to or have come to mutual agreement. 1653 Hossack Kirkwall 254.
Till your forder order and aduertisement houe you and hie are setlit